A year has now passed since Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by announcing his intention to abdicate the Throne of St. Peter, and what have we learned?
In concrete terms, perhaps very little as it relates to the real reasons behind his renouncement of the papacy, but circumstantially, we can infer quite a lot. With this in mind, please allow me to indulge in a bit of informed speculation.
Benedict’s announcement was met with two primary reactions from the cardinals to whom he was speaking, as well as from among various members of the sacred hierarchy and others across the globe.
On the one hand, pretty much everyone expressed shock, and I am certain that in most cases that reaction was entirely sincere.
That said, I do not doubt for even a moment that there were any number of clerics, particularly members of the Curia, who looked straight into the television cameras to express their surprise, when in truth they had played an active role in coercing Pope Benedict to take his leave.
The other most common reaction coming from Rome and elsewhere, especially in less-than-traditional quarters, was a near endless stream of blather (more properly, “spin”) touting the sheer humility of this pope who courageously decided to step aside for the good of the Church.
Sound familiar?
It should.
In hindsight, this was but the opening act for the Cirque du Humilité that burst onto the Roman stage with the elevation of Jorge Bergoglio.
Is it merely coincidental that the suddenly “humble” abdicator’s successor immediately undertook to implement an unprecedented program of papal humility-on-display, with everything from worn out shoes to shoddy vestments, to pedestrian living quarters and compact cars serving as props?
I doubt it.
Oddly enough, in the weeks following Benedict’s announcement, only a relative few were wondering aloud if perhaps he was in fact fleeing for fear of the very “wolves” he had mentioned in his inaugural homily. And yet, they had been howling at Benedict’s doorstep for quite some time.
One of the first signs of trouble among the “domesticated” variety (those who operate from within the Church) made itself known less than a year-and-a-half into Benedict’s pontificate following his now infamous Regensburg Lecture.
In addition to sparking a violent Muslim backlash, the address was met with heavy criticism from certain churchmen, including one Cardinal-Archbishop who said, “These statements will serve to destroy in twenty seconds the careful construction of a relationship with Islam that Pope John Paul II built over the last twenty years.”
Sound familiar?
It should.
Is it merely coincidental that the above mentioned Prince is now known as Pope Francis, a pope so determined to court favor with the Muslims that he even goes so far as to actively encourage them to hold fast to their false religion?
I doubt it.
Pope Benedict XVI, in spite of whatever shortcomings he may have had from a traditional perspective (e.g., Assisi III, the “continuity” illusion, his failure to celebrate the traditional Mass in public even once), committed what the neo-modernist cabal in post-conciliar Rome considers an unforgiveable sin; he showed a willingness to render papal authority in the manner of a Sovereign, when clearly everyone who is anyone in the Eternal City knows darn well that the church-of-man playbook now firmly in place requires the pontiff to govern according to unwritten rule number one: collegiality.
Sound familiar?
It should.
Pope Francis has made no bones about his desire to promote collegiality, even to the point of calling for “genuine doctrinal authority” and “juridical status” for episcopal conferences. (cf Evangelii Gaudium 32)
Is it merely coincidental that Pope Benedict’s successor is so driven?
I doubt it.
So, what specifically did Pope Benedict XVI do in the way of overstepping his bounds as primus inter pares (first among equals); landing himself in water so hot that he felt he had no choice but to end his days in seclusion?
Primarily, three things, as I see it.
First, he issued Summorum Pontificum.
Had he simply treated the “old Mass” as a sentimental attachment to be tolerated, rather than as a gift to be propagated, his own traditional leanings in matters liturgical could have perhaps been overlooked by the wolves, but as it was, he incited their fury.
As memory serves, one of the more vocal critics of Summorum Pontificum was the Jesuit Cardinal Carlo Martini, the then retired Archbishop of Milan who said in an interview shortly before his death on August 31, 2012:
“Our culture has aged, our churches are big and empty and the church bureaucracy rises up, our rituals and our cassocks are pompous.”
Sound familiar?
It should.
Pope Francis, who suggested in his first address to the Roman Curia that the Church is in danger of becoming a “heavy bureaucratic customs house,” has eschewed nearly every sign of “pomp” associated with the papacy from the very moment he first appeared on the balcony at St. Peter’s.
Is it merely coincidental that Pope Benedict’s successor, another Jesuit, not only is so impassioned but also just happens to claim Carlo Martini as his role model?
I doubt it.
Secondly, Pope Benedict turned up the heat under his Throne considerably by lifting the excommunications from the four bishops of the Society of St. Pius X, and this in the very same year that he decreed the “Heroic Virtues” of Venerable Pope Pius XII.
Both of these acts, together with Summorum Pontificum two years earlier, amounted to an anti-Semitic trifecta in the minds of many a Jew and their progressive con frères within the Church; brothers in arms in the cause of creating an institution only a Mason could love.
While much of the dust-up concerned the comments of a now former SSPX Bishop relative to the Holocaust, the entire affair was treated as an occasion to proclaim the Jewish people off-limits in terms of evangelization.
Sound familiar?
It should.
Pope Francis raised eyebrows in saying, “We hold the Jewish people in special regard because their covenant with God has never been revoked,” (cf Evangelii Gaudium 247) as if their rejection of Christ amounts to anything less than a rejection of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Is it merely coincidental that Pope Benedict’s successor not only boasts a history of synagogue visits and inter-worship with Jews, but has also co-authored a book with his rabbi-best-friend; the same with whom he prayed during Sukkot and Shabbat at the Vatican, a papal first?
I doubt it.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Pope Benedict all but signed his own walking papers the moment he set in motion the so-called “Doctrinal Discussions” with the Society of St. Pius X.
Imagine, the Roman Pontiff suggesting that these “traditionalists,” with their attachment to the doctrine of the Faith as it was taught without confusion prior to the Council and their insistence upon the Social Kingship of Christ, have something of value to offer the Church!
Sound familiar?
It should.
Pope Francis has repeatedly targeted those Catholics who dare to imagine that Christ is Sovereign and Ruler, at one point even alleging that such “triumphalistic” Catholics “do not believe in the Risen Lord and want to make theirs a more majestic resurrection than that of the real one.”
Is it merely coincidental that Pope Benedict’s successor has a kindly word and a warm embrace for every member of the human family, regardless of whether or not they reject Our Lord Jesus Christ and oppose His Holy Church, with one glaring exception; those tradition-minded Catholics toward whom he has repeatedly hurled insult after ignominious insult?
I doubt it.
With all of this in mind, I cannot but draw the following conclusions, speculative though they may be:
– Pope Benedict XVI was driven from office in some fashion or form, and whatever threat loomed had he remained on the Throne must have been truly terrible; such that it would have shaken the faith of many.
While we may never know what that threat actually was (and perhaps still looms), its power to exert history-changing force upon persons and events can be discerned in the swiftness with which what appeared to be the SSPX’s imminent reconciliation in June of 2012 (thanks to Pope Benedict’s own initiative) inexplicably fell apart at the eleventh hour.
All indications are that something was, shall we say, suggested to the pope that caused him to do a stunning about face, and whatever that something was may very well have played a part in his decision to abdicate.
If Cardinal Bertone is to be believed, this coincides precisely with the timeline of events.
According to CWN:
In an interview with the Italian daily Il Giornale on the anniversary of the resignation, Cardinal Bertone said that Pope Benedict had made up his mind to step down by the middle of 2012.
Is it merely coincidental…
You get the point. Only with great effort can one avoid the sense that a considerable degree of behind-the-scenes maneuvering on the part of Benedict’s enemies played a critical role in his departure, and necessarily, therefore, the arrival of his successor.
– In spite of Pope Benedict’s claim that he lacked the “strength of mind and body … to adequately fulfill the [Petrine] ministry,” with every passing day this reveals itself ever more clearly to have been nothing more than an excuse.
According to a recent article in the Telegraph, the former pope is used to “rising daily at 5.30am and filling his time with piano practise to improve his Mozart, meeting old friends, praying, tending a kitchen garden, reading the Vatican’s daily newspaper and watching the evening news on TV.”
This is hardly the image of a man too weakly to reign.
Oh, sure, it has been noted that he looks refreshed after a year in seclusion, but arguably this has as much to do with creating distance between himself and his extraordinarily tenacious enemies than leaving behind the ordinary, albeit substantial, demands of the Petrine Office.
– While many, including me, were initially hopeful that Benedict was stepping aside confident that the stage was set for a likeminded, more vigorous, successor to carry on in similar fashion, the exact opposite appears to have been true.
The only mystery in this tale of two Pontiffs that can rival the real reason behind Pope Benedict’s decision to abandon his family is how he ever got elected in the first place. I would suggest that those who are looking for signs of Divine influence on the proceedings of a papal conclave need look no further than the elevation of Josef Ratzinger in 2005.
As for conclave 2013, I have a sneaking suspicion that the Holy Ghost had more influence on the outcome of Super Bowl XLVIII.
In any event, those who drove Pope Benedict into early retirement appear to have done so in the knowledge that they had little or nothing to fear.
The surprisingly speedy fashion with which the cardinal-electors chose Jorge Bergoglio suggests to me that the wolverines entered the conclave confident that they had already secured the voting block necessary to push forward their prelate of choice; a man who could be counted upon to dutifully go about untying the various “knots” of the Benedictine papacy.
Let’s recap:
– While Benedict projected an air of regal confidence, his chosen successor would actively seek opportunities to take on the appearance of a “regular Joe.”
– While Benedict was unafraid to confront Muslim violence, his chosen successor would honor Islam, using the occasion of his first Apostolic Exhortation to insist that it is “opposed to every form of violence.”
– While Benedict was willing, on occasion, to rule in the manner of a Sovereign, his chosen successor would be the “Bishop of Rome” committed to making collegiality a priority.
– While Benedict promoted the traditional liturgy, his chosen successor would not only strip Papal Masses of their splendor, he would even take steps to criminalize “crypto–Lefebvrian” tendencies.
– While Benedict was willing to risk insulting the Jews as an acceptable “side-effect” of good governance, his chosen successor would bend over backward to affirm them.
– While Benedict was sympathetic to traditionalists (otherwise known as Catholics), his chosen successor would excoriate them at every given opportunity
That chosen successor, of course, is Pope Francis, and the masterminds of Benedict’s demise, the wolves, are now licking their chops in anticipation of the goods he’s expected to deliver.
Sadly, I have experienced firsthand the hostility that comes from embracing traditional practices while “stuck” in a Novus Ordo parish. Seemingly heretical statements put forth for the “education” of parishioners are ignored, but simply trying to live as Catholics had always lived brings on harassment as if some crime is being committed. It seems quite possible that “tradition friendly” individuals quietly work behind the scenes to make sure that, at the very least, the knowledge of and love for tradition does not grow beyond the tiny ghetto that the diocese has provided for it. May God be with those brave priests who are still fighting for the Truth in such a hateful environment. I can only imagine what they face. May God bless and protect Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.
It was also in summer 2012 that there were widespread reports of a homosexual cabal of priests and bishops assigned to the Vatican being uncovered. The “dossier” of 300 pages supposedly outlined this cabal in detail. Then you had Vatileaks -which “coincidentally” stopped as soon as Benedict announced his abdication, which implied the dossier, no matter how destructive, would not remain secret for long. That is the scandal capable of rocking the faith of millions, the sudden revelation that, say, 1/3 the Curia are active sodomites, and much of the Italian episcopal conference.
I think it obvious this abdication was done under extreme duress, and that the wolves were the sodomite cabal.
The implications of which are enormously disturbing.
I have often wondered what happened during that puzzling “mystical moment” that the newly-elected Jorge Bergoglio is said to have had prior to his balcony appearance.
Based on his subsequent output as pope, I imagine he may have conversed with some of his predecessors in the Vatican. Maybe Pius XII, the Sacred Congregation of the Index, St. Pius X?
Perhaps the dialogue went something like this:
PIUS XII: “Disagreement and error among men on moral and religious matters have always been a cause of profound sorrow to all good men, but above all to the true and loyal sons of the Church“. (Humani Generis)
FRANCIS: “I am a son of the Church.” (Press Conference, July 28, 2013)
PIUS XII: “If one considers all this well, he will easily see why the Church demands that future priests be instructed in philosophy ‘according to the method, doctrine, and principles of the Angelic Doctor,’…. How deplorable it is…that this philosophy, received and honored by the Church, is scorned by some, who shamelessly call it outmoded in form and rationalistic, as they say, in its method of thought.” (Op. cit.)
FRANCIS: “[W]e must not confuse the genius of Thomas Aquinas with the age of decadent Thomist commentaries. Unfortunately, I studied philosophy from textbooks that came from decadent or largely bankrupt Thomism.” (Interview with “Civilta Cattolica”)
PIUS XII: “They [who shamelessly scorn this philosophy] say that [it] upholds the erroneous notion that there can be a metaphysic that is absolutely true“. (Op. cit.)
FRANCIS: “I would not speak about ‘absolute’ truths, even for believers, in the sense that absolute is that which is disconnected and bereft of all relationship. Truth, according to the Christian faith, is the love of God for us in Jesus Christ.” (“Letter to a non-believer”)
At this point the Sacred Congregation of the Index is prompted to intervene as follows:
“Reason can prove with certitude the existence of God…. Faith…cannot be conveniently alleged to prove the existence of God to an atheist“. (Decree, June, 1855)
FRANCIS: “Proselytism is solemn nonsense” (Still published interview with “La Repubblica”)
FRANCIS (continuing): “God – and this is my thinking and experience, shared by many from past and present! – is not an idea even if a lofty one, the fruit of human thought; God is a reality with a capital ‘R’.” (Op. cit.)
ST. PIUS X: “I knew you were going to say that!”
(Actually, that is my paraphrasing. The following is the full translation:
“[F]or the modernist believer it is established and certain that the reality of the divine definitely exists in itself, and certainly does not depend on the believer. But if you ask on what then the assertion of the believer rests, they will reply: In the personal experience of every man.” (Pascendi))
1. I have read that there is more intrigue in the Vatican than anywhere else. (I don’t doubt it.)
2. When it comes to canonizing post-Vat. II Popes, I’m pretty sure they will “skip over” Benedict.
3. In only 1 year, Francis has done more harm to the Catholic Church then could possibly be rectified without Divine Intervention.
4. I fear to think what future years will bring with Francis.
5. Pray and Fast!!!!
There are also foxes (Volpi) among the wolves. And nothing has been done about the ‘gay lobby’ or the 300 page expose. Business not only as usual but ever more entrenched.
Replacing Cardinal Burke with Cardinal Wuerl said a lot too and we have the loose cannon of Cardinal Rodriguez Maridiaga.
I have no expectation of the firm teachings of the Church. Some shy proclamations may issue forth but they will be ignored. Millions of souls hang in the balance but the word is that the Holy Father is writing an encyclical on the environment. How many souls will that save?
“In any event, those who drove Pope Benedict into early retirement appear to have done so in the knowledge that they had little or nothing to fear.” That’s what they think!
Over and over the Church has survived “leadership” that led her astray, but she survived. I think the Holy Spirit is going to have a monumental task at the end of this pontificate, but nothing is impossible to God. That is my daily hope.
Thank you for the work you do keeping us informed.
Well done, Louie, I think your analysis is very honest and convincing. As a parish priest I have in the last few months started to celebrate the TLM every First Friday. In that short time I have noticed the rise of a ferocious opposition from many, and one time friends to whom I showed kindness, have become bitter critics. There is something about that form of Mass which seems to provoke the wrath of evil. Its as if it must be eradicated at all costs. I think Benedict’s greatest act is to have issued SP, it maybe Providence’s protection for faithful Catholics in the face of the storm engulfing the Church.
Pope Benedict is the Vicar of Christ…….need I say more???
Great and accurate analysis as usual.
One should also question what influence the scandal at the Vatican bank has caused and its effect on Benedict’s resignation. This especially in light of the fact that Bergoglio appointed a known sodomite to the scandal-plagued institution, but one he cannot judge in Monsignor Ricca.
Interestingly, this little dialogue appears in Windswept House between John Paul II and his cardinal confessor as the wolves are trying to provoke him into resignation: John Paul asks, ‘Imagine for a moment that I accept the advice of my Cardinals. That I resign from the office of Peter. How would that affect our standing in the market?’
The cardinal who heads the bank at this time states, ‘A resignation … would probably boost our standing. We both know that those who exclude us now from certain investment sectors would open doors at the moment of Your Holiness’ resignation. Amici de amici. Friends of friends … .’
Was there a threat to drag Benedict through the world’s criminal courts over the scandal that would have devastated an already bankrupt (financially and spiritually) Church? Remember, masons (or whatever name you choose to call the wolves) control nations and institutions through financial malfeasance.
And yes, Father Mann. Thank you for doing the Mass, the only Mass, which binds satan’s power. No wonder you are under attack. May Mary, the One Who crushes the serpent, protect you in every way.
Excellent analysis…I’ve always had a suspicion that something else was at play…although weak and frail at the end of his Papacy…Pope Benedict XVI still genuflecting….tells me more than anything.
If Pope Benedict was forced or coerced in ANY way to resign this current “pope” is invalid thus Saint Francis of Assisi’s “A man not canonically elected..” prophecy. Sorry, I know it offends many people but I call it as I see it and I’m calling Shenanigans.
Actually, I think that the PRIMARY reaction was “What is he saying? What language is that? Does anyone understand what he’s saying?” due to the fact that he made his announcement in Latin.
.
Sigh
.
Hugh Akins did an interview with ISOC in which he mentioned that the Vatican bank’s ability to process credit and debit card transactions was having major problems late last winter, which miraculously cleared up right after Pope Benedict’s abdication. Imagine Vatican diplomats unable to travel, pay bills, exchange currencies, etc. The nasties have a lot of influence they can bring to bear, and if true, they might have pushed certain levers. I don’t know. But I’d say that whatever happens, Pope Francis is what we’ve got, and it’ll will be interesting times. Cling to the faith, and don’t get out of the boat!!!!
Dear Fr Mann,
–
With all due respect, I would like to plead humbly but insistently: PLEASE, PLEASE, offer the faithful the TLM on Sundays also! As one commenter noted, the TLM is the only mass that is truly and efficaciously able to bind the power of Satan! The faithful are being spiritually starved for lack of proper spiritual food!
–
JMJ
And we never landed on the moon either. Your conspiracy theories build story within story and you have no evidence, only speculative constructions. This is a spiritual wormhole.
But wait. I believe it was an act of Providence that the Society wasn’t regularized. Clearly the Mother of God spared them from what is now happening to the Franciscans of the Immaculate.
And yes if Benedict’s resignation was forced then it would be invalid, making the other bishop of Rome Antipope Francis.
Interestingly enough, Antonio Socci wrote an article in “Libero” arguing that Benedict’s resignation may have been invalid, thus making Francis an Antipope. A whole can of worms has just been opened.
Dearest Fr. Mann….You have shown yourself to be a true priest and shepherd to God’s people. Would that the Blessed Lord give us a million more in your mold. THANK YOU for standing up against the enemy and his machinations and his agents; it’s already gotten you in some hot water….looks like you’re well on your way to Sainthood! 🙂
And you are indeed right…the Immemorial Mass brings the truth of what’s in individual hearts out into the open…”that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed”. The ones who have reacted with such animus have truly unmasked themselves. Take joy, and know that the 8th Beatitude is yours.
And Kate…your comment is a very good illustration of what happens when we kick to the curb our God-given gift of reason. Wake up.
One for the “progress” file: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2014/02/houston-we-have-some-progress.html.
The money quote:
“It is a very rare occasion these days to see a cardinal (especially under 80) use 1962 books for any sacrament. Recall that only 12 of the 118 cardinal electors last year had offered at least one traditional Latin Mass following the introduction of the novus ordo. Cardinal DiNardo (age 64) has not gone that far yet, but perhaps this is a start. Following the sacrament of confirmation, the cardinal offered Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.”
Drip, drip, drip…
Oh, and this. The future of the Catholic Church:
http://sspx.org/en/news-events/news/10-donned-cassock-winona-3291
Thank you Archbishop Lefebvre. 😉
dear S. Armaticus,
exactly. Thank you for the encouraging update.
Archbishop Lefebvre, humble and most selfless missionary shepherd, sound caretaker of souls, ora pro nobis.
And something to pass along to your N.O. friends. The bishop of Rome’s latest musings here: http://culbreath.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/pope-francis-skipping-mass-and-the-sunday-obligation/
When I read this, I thought of our dear Saluto.
I know–horrendous .
Oh, dear Saluto what courage to keep the Faith in such times. God love you all here who are strong and mature in your Faith. Peace be to you.
For a year, I’ve been trying to convince myself that Benedict was no longer Pope. But, I can’t. Something isn’t right, as everyone is saying here. Every so often, I hear reports that he’s doing fine, in good health, etc. Well, shouldn’t he be on his death bed? You’d think so, after the drastic abdication. It hasn’t happened in centuries and it doesn’t just happened. Why is he still wearing white and being called Pope Emeritus? He choose to still wear white himself. It just seems obvious that he’s trying to show us something yet he acts like he’s no longer Pope and acknowledges his Successor.
If he’s still Pope, what are we supposed to do about it? That means there’s an imposter in the Chair of Peter and someone has to restore Benedict back to his rightful place, but how?
Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich saw when there would be a time with “two Popes” and she saw the “consequences of the false church.” She’s talking about now.
Pray is all I can say. One of these days, God will straighten this out.
First I would just like to say, “Forgive me Father for I will sin”. But the temptation is just too great. So here goes.
Father Mann wrote: “There is something about that form (I.e. TLM) of Mass which seems to provoke the wrath of evil. Its as if it must be eradicated at all costs.”
Something like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roqHaEjDPzQ
Kind of like the effect that the Holy Water had on Regan? She wouldn’t answer in Latin either.
PS The devil made me do it. 😉
Louie-
Perhaps you can attend the Baltimore Archdiocese’s “The Francis Factor” on March 18 and inject some rationality there during the Q&A. Panel includes Cardinal O’Malley (recently blessed by a female Methodist minister); Fr. Thomas Rosica (chastised on Vortex 11/1/2012 for being subversive); and Fr. Matt Malone, editor-in-chief of “Amerika” magazine. Pretty liberal line-up for an archdiocesan event, but I suppose considered mainstream in these parts these days. At any rate, it seems to be a very thinly veiled attempt to put down the Pope Emeritus. We’ll be out of town that week, otherwise I’d try to get there myself. Questions may be submitted ahead of time via website, although those could be filtered. Tickets required. See https://www.archbalt.org/about-us/francis-factor.cfm .
“I have appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain”…..Jn. 15:16
We are in the ‘peak’ of an abundant ‘harvest’……….the seeds were planted few decades ago, and we are reaping their bitter fruits…..ALL, including Pope Emeritus. Little too late has he ‘awakened’…….the ‘wrath’ of God is upon us all! We reap what they sow. Why so many Catholics, want to make his ‘cross’ lighter, or, even take it away from him……. as if, he was sinless, guiltless, spared from humiliations. Was the ‘cross’ exclusively, for Jesus Christ? Or, for each one of His children…….. especially, for those who were consecrated in ‘the holy army of Jesus Christ.
We understand as Catholics that nothing does or can happen without the knowledge, permission, or direction of God, since most of us oppose His Will, is there a ‘wonder’ that we have all fallen into misfortune of this ‘diabolical disorientation’, this confusion and error that is dividing All Catholics?….Miserere!
Is there a ‘wonder’ that Catholics today, are no longer ‘true children of the Roman Catholic Church, the Holy Church of Jesus Christ, united in Christ! No longer ‘light’ to the world! No longer worshiping God, as all Catholics ought to…….the Mass of All Time. We all get what we deserve……accordingly……including the Popes.
Let us pray without ceasing for a holy Pope, holy bishops, holy priests, holy vocations………lest we will all perish!
Our God is no slumbering God…….”Behold! He shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel”….Ps. 120:4.
Keep the Faith!
For anyone who wonders why the moon landings seem to attract conspiracy theories, google “waggin the moondoggie.” It is a read, but then you will understand.
.
I still don’t get Vatican II though (or at least its spirit).
Paul
Thanks for having the courage to state the obvious.
Dear S.Armaticus, your concern moves me – or maybe that’s beer since I started my home early Friday afternoon happy hour already. Does this mean that if I close my eyes really tight and think, without too much effort, I can excuse myself from my local ubiquitous NO on grounds that it is in fact a schism Church? since it is, in effect, the True Church that is unable to attend me of a Sunday? Kind a works?
2 Co. 6 . Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what participation hath justice with injustice? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness? 6.15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath the faithful with the unbeliever? 6.16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God saith: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 6.17 Wherefore, Go out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: 6.18 And I will receive you; and I will be a Father to you; and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Perhaps Benedict looked around and thought…I’m fed up belials, and idols and unclean things injustice and have to make bedfellows with darkness. I know a chap who’ll do that without a blink.
Fr. Mann, I must also express my gratitude and encouragement. God bless you.
BTW BTW – Cirque du Humilité – heheh.
Dear Saluto,
I think of you often, since it really troubles me that you can’t find a proper Mass close to you. For heavens sake, this isn’t 1984!!!!!!
With respect to the link, I was merely trying to suggest that since:
1) The present bishop of Rome has done away with sin,
and
2) is not instructing those individuals who are without sin (i.e. all Catholics) not to go to mass,
you should suggest to your N.O. priest and parishioners to “submit completely” to the Roman Pontiff’s teachings (like it is being asked of the SSPX). If you are successful, you should be the only one attending mass, therefore in a very good position to influence which “form of the Roman Rite” is offered at your parish church.
It’s a long shot, but well worth the effort 😉
It’s a thought
More good news from the Eastern Front. 🙂
http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/02/juventutem-updates-mass-at-mit-new.html#.Uv3THPvy0S4
Take heart, Saluto. It’s must a matter of time.
Let’s pretend it’s 2050 and one of our grandkids is commenting on Mr. V’s blog. Here is what one of those post may look like:
“And now a blast from the past. http://voxcantor.blogspot.com/2014/01/buffoonery.html.
Fancy dress party?”
heh, heh, very good dear S. Armaticus. Proof that Catholics mature in the Faith, {not wavering or entertaining thoughts, God forbid, of jumping ship, } have a robust sense of humor.
S.Armaticus 🙂
woohoo, I made a smile. I keep you all on my rosary needs; God is good, and not in pukie newzage way. God bless you Guy’s on this site; you get blatt-blurb-too much uuur- bad mass week-are there any Real Catholics out there-ere-ere-ere-ere?
Thank God, there are
p.s. this tablet is an auto-corruption fiend.
Ladies,
I’m glad we are starting to smile again. It really is the new springtime for the true Catholic Faith. One just has to look for the flowers.
Speaking of the new springtime, in one of my earlier posts, I copied a piece from RC which said… “at the last conclave, 12 of the 118 cardinal electors last year had offered at least one traditional Latin Mass following the introduction of the N.O.”. I bet there wasn’t one cardinal elector who offered a post N.O. TLM at the conclave that elected Benedict. Therefore, no matter how much the idea of a long reign for the present bishop of Rome is anathema to us, the bright side is that the longer he reigns, the larger the earlier mentioned proportion of TLM offering cardinals will be in the future conclave that elects the next Roman Pontiff. And even those cardinals that will still have a nostolgic “attachment” to Godspell, JC Superstar, assembly theology and the hippie days of the 1960’s, will no doubt think twice about taking ANOTHER WALK ON THE WILD SIDE by electing another foul mouthed Jesuit from South America.
Pray for Francis. He really, really needs all the help he can get. But I digress…
Summa Summarum.
Folks, time is on our side. 😉
Have a great Friday.
St..Michael Archangel, ora pro nobis.
Archbishop Lefebvre, our saintly protector, ora pro nobis.
Saluto…it would appear that your at-home-happy-hour is going swimmingly! 🙂
and S.Armaticus…thanks for your always brilliant links.
God bless all, and a happy St. Valentine’s Day all around! :):):)
Over at Rorate Caeli, the purge in the Church of Francis continues. Prof.de Mattei purged from Radio Maria. Link here.
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2014/02/dictatorship-of-tolerance-at-radio.html.
Didn’t show enough respect, I take it.
When you get your head on straight, come back and see us. Eh Pizan!
I used to think that the tragedy foretold by Our Blessed Mother to Sr. Lucia, of a Pope slaughtered by guns and arrows, was a suffering which a faithful pope would endure for the sake of his courageous loyalty to Christ; but with Pope Francis I am begining to think that it may be the one way out of the present Crisis, which God has prepared to liberate His Church from a truly diabolical and monstrous man…
JMJ Dear Fr Mann kiss your scapular Our Lady of Fatima has prepared her children for war! Our Commader and Queen is our only refuge all persons of Good Will unite under the Mother’s banner of Her Mantle.
Louie I am afraid you are way off the mark on this one. In effect while you are extolling what Benedict put forward at the same time you are in effect calling him a liar. His motto as you recall was truth. Let me refresh your Integral Catholic Memory. It was in Mexico that he had a accident which caused an injury. His doctor told him no more foreign trips. In fact he had been thinking about this at least since 2009 when he placed his pallium on the tomb of St Celestine. And in Light of the World he said this. As far as his health he not only has trouble walking but has had a pacemaker battery replaced. He is getting more older and frail and had to be pushed on the platform. Stop the conspiracy theories please and look at the facts and take the Pope Emeritus at his word.
Sheena: Are you kidding us?
And what did John Paul II do in the reality that his body was more torn and battered than Benedict’s could ever be? Did John Paul resign? Or did he hold on to the Lord until, as is God’s right, He removed him from the papacy?
Perhaps you should read Windswept House. If you open your spiritual eyes, you will see the “blueprint” for forcing a pope to resign.
The only difference is that the book has the conspirators trying to get JPII to resign, but he was far too spiritually strong for them to succeed. Why? Because he is the Divine Mercy Pope, the last great Gift of Christ before His Return, Reign and Rule.
Now if JPII could continue on until, as you remember the great symbolism of the Bible being blown shut in front of everybody during his funeral Mass, that signaled the end of the only Diviner Mercy pontificate.
Surely, Benedict could have held on as well had it not been for the conspirators forcing his resignation and giving us the loser in the 2005 conclave.
Yes, Benedict’s motto is Truth. And that is just what is being covered up today.
I do know Pope Benedict XVI suffered 2 Heart Attacks a stroke is deaf in one ear blind in one eye, and falls all the time. The Holy Father, Pope Benedict did state in the beginning of his Pontificate, that if he became too Ill etc. He would step down. He also has a pacemaker. You have to be honest that the duties of the Pope Today are very different traveling etc. Pope John Paul II was a huge figure, so it would be a problem for him to retire etc. Pope Benedict XVI is a very honest & yes Humble person he would not lie. Anyone who knows him is aware of deep honesty and devotion to the Truth. Pope Benedict XVI resigned because he could no longer fulfill the duties That The Petrine Office requires. The Assisi under Pope Benedict XVi was very different, The meeting will had two major differences compared to the previous ones held in 1986, 1993 and 2002: Participants won’t visibly pray together, and a small group of nonbelievers will be attending for the first time.The avoidance of joint visible prayer is an attempt to avoid syncretistic and relativistic “mood music” that arose out of the previous Assisi meetings, a well-known concern of many, and especially of Pope Benedict XVI. In a letter to a Lutheran pastor in March of this year, the Holy Father said he promised to “do everything in order that a syncretistic or relativistic interpretation of the event will be impossible,” adding that the event would reflect the contents of Dominus Iesus, the 2000 declaration that re-emphasized the Church’s teaching that the Catholic Church is the sole, true Church of Christ.“The meeting has been set up very carefully, so the Holy Father’s wishes are most fully and properly met,” a Vatican official involved in the event told the Register Oct. 25. He pointed out that the day of prayer and pilgrimage “shows the convening power of the See of Peter: the recognition there’s no other religious leader who has authority and stature to call together so many leaders in this way.”At a press conference earlier this month, Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, stressed that the emphasis is “on pilgrimage rather than on praying together,” but added that this was not meant as a judgment on Blessed John Paul II’s Assisi meetings. Rather, it was an attempt to be clear
that joint prayer is not on the agenda in order to ensure that the specific identity and the differences of each religion will be respected.
Yes, of course, they are all health issues, including the fact that two cardinals reported before his resignation that there was an assassination plot against Benedict. That seemed to get downgraded by the Vatican right away. Yes, anglenyc, it is only a typical ‘coincidence’ that not long after, Benedict would resign. Funny, I don’t recall John Paul resigning after being physically shot and almost dying on some sort of Fatima anniversary (who can keep track of all these ‘co-inky-dinkys.’?)
Yes, so of course, unlike John Paul who almost died from an assassin’s bullet, Benedict’s health is the real issue for his resignation as opposed to a conspiracy that has brewing against pontiffs since, I don’t know when. Perhaps, it started when John Paul I suddenly died after just 33 days in office after discovering some sort of scandal. Just another ‘coincidence,’ right?